In other words -- a big up-front payment of at least $2 billion, marketing assistance, freedom to customize the software, and early looks at future versions of Microsoft's phone software.

A sweet deal to be sure, but it's a change in tone for Motorola from when the Nokia-Microsoft deal was signed in February. Then, Jha said that he was completely focused on Android, and wondered if the Nokia deal might force some other handset makers into Android's arms as well.

Motorola Wireless beat earnings estimates last quarter, its first since being spun off as a separate company, but still lost $81 million.